Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burnsSawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County to host 24th annual boat show The 24th Annual Charlotte County Boat Show is back in Port Charlotte.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 8, 2025 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society to hold grand opening for new location The Suncoast Humane Society will hold a grand opening for its new location on Thursday following hurricane damage to its previous location.
County commissioner reacts to Marceno’s comments on FBI A county leader is reacting to what Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno had to say about the FBI.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County to host 24th annual boat show The 24th Annual Charlotte County Boat Show is back in Port Charlotte.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 8, 2025 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society to hold grand opening for new location The Suncoast Humane Society will hold a grand opening for its new location on Thursday following hurricane damage to its previous location.
County commissioner reacts to Marceno’s comments on FBI A county leader is reacting to what Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno had to say about the FBI.
Laurie Sturrup, 52. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office The former board president of the North Fort Myers Babe Ruth League was arrested Wednesday after deputies say she stole more than $9,000 in association funds. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, 52-year-old Laurie Sturrup was arrested after deputies received a complaint of grand theft at 2050 North Recreation Parkway in North Fort Myers. A woman who identified herself as the current secretary of the North Fort Myers Babe Ruth League, a volunteer-run nonprofit baseball organization for kids between 4 and 15, gave a sworn written statement documenting the theft of association funds by Sturrup. The secretary said that from August 2022 until January 2023, Sturrup withdrew in excess of $9,000 from the association account through ATM withdrawals, direct payments, and an individual Zelle payment. As president of the association, Sturrup had been issued a debit card for the business account, as was the vice president and treasurer. The secretary said the board has tried to obtain either the funds or receipts documenting payments for baseball association activities. On Dec. 23, Sturrup returned $6,245 in cash to the board, leaving an outstanding balance of $4,350. On Jan. 19, the association board met and removed Sturrup from her position as president. It also drafted a certified letter to Sturrup informing her of the decision and demanding that the funds or receipts for the funds be provided to the board no later than Feb. 4. The secretary told deputies that the board received no communication from Sturrup or funds or receipts. LCSO received copies of text messages and Facebook messages between Sturrup and the board concerning payments and association business, as well as Wells Fargo bank records documenting the transactions made on the business account from June 2022 to February 2023. “Really, to me, is a circumstance that demonstrates why we children need parents involved and should be involved in all aspects of our lives, especially in volunteering and youth sports,” said Chuck Phoenix, District 15 commissioner for Florida Babe Ruth Baseball. Phoenix said that missing money was supposed to help kids get on the field. “Including insurance for accidents and things like that. Uniforms, obviously, can be very expensive. Equipment, baseballs, umpire, fees, things like that. “ He believes the theft will not force kids to give up the game. He said the best defense against crimes like this is more parental involvement. “The more people you have involved in anything, the less likely there’s going to be problems. Number one, there’s a lot more people performing the tasks. And then also, they’re watching each other perform these tasks,” Phoenix said. WINK News was told that Sturrup returned more than $6,000 of the missing money. She is charged with grand theft. Due to Sturrup being the board president, she was issued a debit card for the Babe Ruth business account. Detectives say she used that card to take the league’s money illegally.